Does being an apprentice mean a heavy workload?
Undeniably yes: the periods at school are very busy, and even if you don’t have to make up any lessons during the periods at the company, you should continue to work on your languages regularly. On the other hand, the working time in the company is well defined, 35 hours. In any case, this is not an insurmountable problem, since in 2020 the EEIGM has already taken on around a hundred apprentices.
I tried to get into the EEIGM in 1st year through the Geipi-Polytech competitive entrance exam and I didn’t succeed. Does that mean I won’t be accepted in 3rd year?
Absolutely not. Your application for 3rd year will be examined like all the others according to the elements requested (marks, rankings, covering letter, etc.). Whether or not you are admitted to Geipi-Polytech is not one of them.
I’m in an ATS class rather than an IUT. Is the selection process different?
No, the criteria are exactly the same.
What is the typical school day?
Since the 2018 reform, lessons have been held between 8.15am and 4.30pm, with 5 periods of 1h15min and a lunch break between 12.30pm and 1.45pm. The aim is to give pupils time at the end of the day to relax, play sport and complete any administrative tasks they may need to, before getting back to work. We estimate that 2 hours of personal work is required each day. As the school is open until 9.30pm Monday to Thursday and 8.30pm on Fridays, including the computer rooms, students can work together in groups, which we strongly encourage.
Do you differentiate between students and apprentices?
No. During their time at the school, they follow the same courses, with the same teachers, and take the same tests. TD groups include students and apprentices. Outside the classroom, they take part in the same associations (BDE, BD sports, BD music, etc.). And finally, the diploma awarded at the end of the course is strictly the same.
How do you select those who go abroad?
We don’t select them. At the EEIGM, all students and apprentices spend at least 2 semesters abroad. Apprentices cannot, however, spend their study period abroad outside Sweden, which is the only country to divide the academic year into “quarters”, but they can do their research placement not only in Sweden, but also in Germany or Spain. There are no specific requirements for language placements or industrial placements.